CURACAO

Blue Suede Mist

1 1/2 oz. Canadian Mist
1/2 oz. Blue Curacao
3 1/2 oz. Lemon-Lime Soda
1 1/2 oz. Lemonade

Mix Canadian Mist and Blue Curacao in a glass and stir in lemonade and soda. Pour into a tall glass with ice. Garnish with lemon wheel or peel

elvis

Blue Suede Mist

1 1/2 oz. Canadian Mist
1/2 oz. Blue Curacao
3 1/2 oz. Lemon-Lime Soda
1 1/2 oz. Lemonade
Mix Canadian Mist and Blue Curacao in a glass and stir in lemonade and soda. Pour into a tall glass with ice. Garnish with lemon wheel or peel

Curaco (pronounced kyur uh sow).

Since most cruisers are here for a single day, there isn't the time to engage in all of the available activities; sunbathing on one of the 38 beaches; climbing Mount Christoffel; exploring the ancient Hato Caves or taking advantage of scuba or diving in the world-class underwater paradise. But what you can do is thoroughly enjoy the architecture and history of historic Willemstad's charming streets and pedestrian malls. This is one destination port that is easily walked and explored.

ABOUT THE ISLAND

Curaçao is the largest of five islands that make up the Netherlands Antilles. It is also the most populous of the three so-called ABC neighboring islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao). About 170,000 people live in Curaçao, with a little over 80,000 people in Aruba. Bonaire has around 15,000 people.

Curacao lies some 5 miles off the northern coast of Venezuela, and 800 miles north of the equator. The island is 38 miles long and varies in width between 2 and 8 miles. Like Aruba and Bonaire, Curacao is a transcontinental island that is geographically part of South America but is also considered to be part of the West Indies and one of the Leeward Antilles. It also is where the Netherlands Antilles government is located which is a parliamentary democracy.

Curacao is a high-end Caribbean island. It seems to be a fairly safe place to visit. Perhaps because of its robust economy it doesn't have the extreme poverty you see on other islands. At least, you are not approached by vendors as frequently as you are at other destinations.

HISTORY

Discovered in 1499 by one of Columbus' lieutenants, Alonso de Ojeda, Curacao was first settled by the Spaniards. In 1634, the Dutch captured the island. Peter Stuyvestant, who later was governor of New Netherlands (New York), became the settlement's governor in 1642. The English and French both tried without success to take over the country, and it actually did come under British rule on two occasions during the early 19th Century, only to be regained permanently by the Dutch in the 1815 Treaty of Paris.

In 1954, six of the islands; Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius, and Saba became autonomous and formed the Netherlands Antilles. However, since Aruba declared its independence in 1986, the Netherlands Antilles today are made up of only five islands. Both Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles, are still part of the Dutch Kingdom.

GEOGRAPHY

Curacao is desert-like, arid and flat with divi divi trees, cacti and spiny-leafed aloes dotting its rocky landscape. The island has about 38 beaches, both public and private, some of which are white sand and others that are framed by cliffs. Snorkeling and diving are excellent here. The highest point on the island is Mount Christoffel at 1,239 feet.

WILLEMSTAD

Willemstad, the capital and only city, is divided into Punda (the point) and Otrabanda (the other side) by a narrow channel that leads to Schottegat harbor--a harbor that is naturally protected from wind and sea. The two sections—Punda and Otrobanda—are connected by the Queen Emma pontoon bridge. Otrobanda is where you'll find much of the island's culture, dining, entertainment, and history. Punda is a great shopping area. The port inside the island is a great natural harbor called Schottegat.

Willemstad's population is mostly African or mixed African and European descent. In all, more than 50 different ethnic backgrounds are represented here and the people are very proud of the island's international flavor. It is one of the richest cities in the world in terms of culture and diversity.

ECONOMY

Curaçao has a fairly bustling economy compared to the other islands. It has one of the largest dry docks in the world and Curacao's second biggest economic factor, after tourism, is its large oil refinery run by a Venezuelan company. Actually, Aruba and Curaçao both have refineries; in Aruba it's located on the south-western tip of the island and its fumes are blown out to sea immediately. Curaçao has the larger refinery, close to the harbor and its fumes cross parts of the island (depending on the direction of the wind). Unfortunately when winds are blowing the refinery emits an unpleasant odor and pollutants are evasive. The little island of Bonaire stores and loads oil from the larger to smaller tankers. So the islands are somewhat inter-dependent upon one another.

CURRENCY

The local currency is the Netherlands Antilles Florin (NAF, sometimes called Guilder) and 1 Florin is always equal to 1.8 US Dollars. US Dollars, Traveler's Checks and major credit cards are widely accepted. The currency on Bonaire and Curaçao is the NAF (Netherlands Antilles Florin) and the currency of Aruba is AFL (Aruba Florin). NAFs and AFLs are both also called "florin" or "guilders" and one US dollar is about 1.8 guilders or florins. Curiously, although NAF and AFL are worth about the same, changing from one to the other is usually not a good bargain. AFLs are typically not accepted in Curaçao or Bonaire, and NAFs are typically not accepted in Aruba.

Aerial View of the Mega Pier cruise dock, adjoining Fort Rif and Otrobanda. The pontoon bridge crosses St. Anna Bay over to Punda, the capital. Punda and Scharloo are connected by the Queen Wilhelmina bridge shown center above. Not shown in this photo is the Queen Julianna Bridge, one of the highest in the world.

DOCKING

Ships dock at Mega Pier and passengers walk along the waterfront to the new Renaissance Mall and Casino

The Port of Willemstad currently has five wharves available for cruise vessels. Some Cruise ships arrive at Curaçao Mega Pier outside of St. Anna Bay on the western shore at Rif, Otrobanda, some 200 meters from the harbor entrance (Photo: above, left). It consists of a T-shaped jetty with a capacity for one mega cruise vessel. This facility can handle cruise ships up to 145,000 gross tons safely and without the restrictions and limitations that St. Anna Bay and the Curaçao Cruise Terminal has--inside the channel. (The Maasdam is shown docked inside the channel in photo on right.)

As you disembark from your ship at the Mega Pier you will come upon Fort Rif. Riffort is now a shopping mall in Curacao, Curaçao, Curaçao Must See Activity, photo, picture, image

Riffort is now a shopping mall in Curacao

The old fortress lies just between the ship terminal and the town square (right next to Emma Bridge in the new part of town) Built in 1828, Rif Fort was meant to defend the outer section of Willemstad's Otrobanda district. Today, on the Otrobanda side (the more contemporary side of the two) the Mega Port has an open air terminal. Taxis, rental cars and tour companies meet passengers here. Riffort Village has replaced the ancient fortress with art galleries, restaurants and shops. The Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino is now open adjacent to the fort increasing businesses now to 50 upscale shops, 15 restaurants and bars. The nearby fort is an integral part of the resort’s shopping and dining attractions. Inside Fort Rif are courtyard cafe's and benches surrounded by more shops. You can climb the stairs to the top of the fort for great views of Curacau.

Outdoor courtyard, patio and shops inside the old fort.

Fort Rifs shops View from the top at restaurant

A short walk beyond the Riffort brings you to the Otrobanda section and Brionplein, a park named for the Curaçao war-hero Admiral Pedro Luis Brion who fought alongside Simon Bolivar in the 19th century and whose statue graces its center.

The many pastel shades on the buildings around St. Anna's Bay are said to have originated because an early mayor of the city suffered from migranes due to the glaring white of most buildings; therefore he ordered that all structures in Willemstad be painted pleasing pastels. Whatever the reason, Williamstad is now a very colorful and unique place to visit.

The Santa Anna Bay is a narrow channel about 1 mile long and from 300 to 1,000 feet deep. The south end opens into the Caribbean Sea. The north end opens up into the Schottegat, a giant, deep lagoon that serves as a harbour and seaplane anchorage.

Looking across Santa Anna Bay from Otrabanda to Punda.

The smaller cruise ships sail right past Queen Emma pedestrian bridge and through downtown to the Cruise Terminal at Mathey Wharf. It is quite a unique sight for visitors to Curacao when the pontoon bridge turns sideways to let ships pass. As this bridge swings wide many times daily, it separates the two halves of the city until ships pass through. The Queen Emma Pedestrian Bridge rests a top 15 pontoons and is powered by 2 motors attached to the last one. The bridge stretches 551 feet across the bay linking Punda and Otrobanda and swings open more than 30 times a day to let ships into the channel leading to the world's seventh busiest harbor, Schottegat Bay.

Emma Bridge is in open position up against the dock The bridge swings closed on its pontoons

And passengers cross on foot ...or ferry if they choose

Before heading over to Punda, however, take some time to visit the Kurá Hulanda Museum at Klipstraat 9, an anthropological museum with the largest African collection in the Caribbean. (Hours are daily 10am to 5pm; admission is $6 (£3.10) for adults and $3 (£1.55) for children.) Don’t miss the opportunity to stroll and explore the adjacent streets as well, where some 65 historic buildings have been restored and are now part of the luxury boutique-hotel Kurá Hulanda. All are welcome to enjoy the hotel’s gardens dotted with art and sculptures and the retail shops, including the Carib Fine Art Gallery. The whole area is a shining example of some of Curaçao’s best 18th and 19th-century architecture. The street layout in Willemstad’s Otrobanda district is full of narrow alleys and wider main streets, reminiscent of 17th century Dutch provincial towns. The main shopping street in Otrobanda is the Breedestraat. You can find this street between Kura Hulanda and the Riffort. Kurá Hulanda is one of the best restorations of Otrobanda.

Hotel Kurá Hulanda Spa and Casino

An entire section of Otrobanda’s dilapidated slum was transformed into a magnificently renovated historical district, the best example of Dutch colonial architecture in the Caribbean. The Brionplein (Brion Plaza) is the centerpiece of Otrobanda’s waterfront. You can sit on one of the café’s terraces and have a picturesque view of the gabled houses of Punda opposite. When cruise ships are docked in the harbor, merchants set up stalls along the waterfront. Otrobanda is improving on it’s image and a renovation of the waterfront is almost finished.

Head over to Punda now, either aboard the ferry facing the Hotel Otrobanda or on foot across the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge. Have your camera ready: photo opportunities abound here as you approach the storybook vista of pastel-colored colonial merchant houses lining Handelskade
along Punda’s waterfront.

Crossing the pedestrian bridge on your left is the beautiful Penha building; on your right is Fort Amsterdam.

In addition to the pontoon bridge, notice the other famous bridge in Williamstaad. The Queen Juliana Bridge opened to vehicular traffic in 1973. Spanning the harbor, it rises 194 ft., which makes it the highest bridge in the Caribbean and one of the tallest in the world, high enough for the many cruise ships and tankers to pass under.

It takes 10-15 minutes to walk from your ship across the bridge to Punda, a delightful and appealing city with its old European ambience. Hemmed in by the sea, a tiny canal, and an inlet, the streets are narrow, and they're crosshatched by still narrower alleyways. Except for the pastel colors, Willemstad may remind you of old Amsterdam. Here you'll find interesting tourist sites.

SHOPPING

Punda, a 5-block shopping district, is shopping central. The streets of Heerenstraat and Breedestraat in the Punda district are the places to start. Two of Punda's main shopping streets, Heerenstraat and Madurostraat, are wide pedestrian malls closed to vehicle traffic. With over 200 shops and stores to choose from, you'll feel like you're in retail heaven. Aside from blue Curaçao liqueur — and the usual local souvenirs — you'll also find jewelry, pottery and linens, the easily recognizable blue and white Delft pottery and delicately embroidered handkerchiefs (as low as three for $5). For Gouda cheese, walk along Breedestraat, Madurostraat and Heerenstraat, which are lined with upscale Dutch shops and a few international chains. Be aware that the shops are usually closed between noon and 2pm.

Narrow retail streets and alleys in Punda.

But if you are not in a shopping mood, and just looking for the historical treasures, you'll find plenty of them just a few blocks from the harbor. The beautiful Amsterdam-like architecture on the Punda side is picturesque and appealing.

The pastel-colored colonial merchant houses lining Handelskade along Punda’s waterfront buildings are of Dutch design and painted in various pastel colors.

Handelskade Waterfront Penha Building Bells on building chime

As you turn left to walk the waterfront you'll notice first, the Penha Building at number 1 with its the typical curved baroque gables and arched galleries. It was built in 1708 as a merchant house. It is the most photographed piece of real estate among tourists on Curaçao. In authentic Dutch Colonial Style you'll see other quaint houses with colorful facades, gabled rooflines, steep-pitched tile roofs and Dutch-gable ends which are hallmarks of classic Dutch urban architecture.
Over time, Willemstad’s traditional styles were modified to accommodate the island’s dry and breezy climate and Caribbean accents were added. The color scheme was updated, introducing a bright, bold palette unheard of in the mother country. Additional climatic influences included: verandas, porches, fretwork, and shutters.

Local boats tie up alongside those from South America and other West Indian islands at the famous Floating Market along Sha Caprileskade, their captains selling everything from fresh produce to fish and handicrafts.

Cross the Queen Wilhelmina Bridge into historic Scharloo, known for its neoclassical mansions. and visit the Maritime Museum which occupies one of the oldest mansions in Scharloo. Its exterior has been artfully restored, while the interior has been completely redesigned in a maritime style to bring Curaçao’s rich seafaring history to life. It is located on the Waaigat inlet, just above the Floating Market. Renovations were done in maritime style complete with a gangplank, portholes and ship railings, all in wood and brass. Maritime Museum: US$6; US$4 children 12-16; under-12 free. Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-4pm, closed Sun (unless a cruise ship docks)

Back across the Waaigat in Punda, walk down Columbusstraat to the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue (The Snoa), the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. Jewish families from Amsterdam founded the congregation in 1651, while the current building was consecrated in 1732. The Jewish Cultural Historical Museum displays traditional religious objects and is accessible from the synagogue’s courtyard.

Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue (The Snoa) and its sand floors

Open from Monday to Friday
9:00 a.m. - 11:45 am / 2:30 - 4:45 pm

This synagogue, a fine example of Dutch colonial architecture, covers about a square block in the heart of Willemstad; it was built in a Spanish-style walled courtyard, with four large portals. Following a Portuguese Sephardic custom, sand covers the sanctuary floor, representing the desert where Israelites camped when the Jews passed from slavery to freedom. The highlight of the east wall is the Holy Ark, rising 16 ft.; a raised banca (balustraded dais), canopied in mahogany, is on the north wall.

Continuing down Columbusstraat, you’ll soon reach Wilhelmina Park and its statue of Queen Wilhelmina. This park is surrounded by a handful of attractive government and office buildings, including the TeleMuseum, which traces the history of telecommunications on Curaçao.

Stop at the cafe, a pleasant downtown setting for a cold beer and a fresh baguette or "toastie" (toasted cheese). The chicken sate smothered in peanut sauce is also worth trying. Mains around US$10. Mon-Sat 9am-8pm.

Immediately behind the park is the Waterfort, built at the same time as the Riffort to defend the canal. At the eastern end of the fort, (now known as Waterfort Arches), the walls stretch for 1/4 mile. They rise 30-ft. high and are built of barrel-vaulted 17th-century stone set against the sea.

Today, shops and restaurants occupy the arches that once held barracks and munitions. The splendid buildings and cobbled walkways are illuminated at night.

Much larger Fort Amsterdam lies to the west. Construction on this fortification began in 1635, making it the oldest monument on Curaçao. Inside its massive stone walls you’ll find the Governor’s Palace, still the official residence of the Governor of the Netherlands Antilles, along with the Fort Church Museum. Note the British cannonball from an 1804 attack that is still embedded in the facade above the left entrance.

Fort Amstrdam in Punda. The Governor's residence, the Ministry, several government offices, and the United Protestant Church, which includes a museum.

The seaside terrace is a pleasant place to stop for a drink or snack after a long shopping/sightseeing day. Walk through the arches to the breezy seaside terrace and order a local Amstel beer or an Elvis-favorite "Blue Suede Mist" concocted from Curacao's famous Blue Curacao liquor.... also a great souvenir to take home!

To return to the Mega Pier, make your way out of Fort Amsterdam and back across the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge.... carefully!